The trial of Hunter Biden, President Joe Biden’s son, on charges of tax evasion is set to begin in California on Thursday. The trial, presided over by United States District Court for the Central District of California Judge Mark Scarsi, is the culmination of a yearslong investigation by Special Counsel David Weiss.
Jury selection is expected to take place Thursday and Friday, with opening arguments anticipated the following Monday.
Hunter Biden was charged with three felonies and six misdemeanors related to $1.4 million in unpaid taxes, which he has since paid. Weiss alleges that Biden engaged in a four-year scheme to avoid paying his taxes and filed false tax returns.
The charges are just the latest in a series of legal troubles for Hunter Biden. In June, he was found guilty on all counts in Delaware in a separate case brought by Weiss involving charges related to the illegal purchase of a firearm. A sentencing date for those charges has not yet been set.
The upcoming tax trial comes amidst a highly politicized environment. Former Deputy Assistant Attorney General, who has chosen to remain anonymous, expressed shock at the length of time it took to investigate evidence related to the Biden family, particularly in the lead-up to the 2024 election.
Further fueling the political firestorm, House Republicans have referred both Hunter Biden and his father, James Biden, for criminal prosecution. This referral coincides with an ongoing impeachment inquiry against President Biden.
President Biden, for his part, has vowed not to pardon his son.
The combined maximum prison sentence for all charges against Hunter Biden could reach 25 years, along with a maximum fine of $250,000 and three years of supervised release.
The trial is expected to be closely watched, as it unfolds against the backdrop of a heated political battle in the run-up to the 2024 Presidential election.
